Jacko 'is the victim in child abuse trial'

The defence in Michael Jackson's child abuse trial will try to portray him as a victim, it emerged yesterday.

They will argue that the 46-year-old singer has been a target of an untrustworthy inner circle, overzealous prosecutors and a family making false allegations against him.

Dana Cole, a close friend of Jackson's top lawyer, said the team would explain why the Arvizo family made the allegations. 'They are trying to cash in like others have done in the past,' she said.

The defence will also argue that Jackson and his brothers were beaten by their father, Joe, if they did not learn their performance routines fast enough.

The star's former wife, Deborah Rowe, has already said some of his associates were 'opportunistic vultures' trying to make money out of him. Observers also pointed out that Jackson has played the victim in many songs. Billie Jean was about a false paternity suit. Jackson denies molesting Gavin Arvizo, 13. The trial continues in Santa Maria, California.